The Year of the Bible concluded in Pakistan on Nov. 13 with colorful celebrations, which were part of a Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral of Lahore.
Catholics packed the cathedral where a procession from St. Anthony's School sang while carrying their Bibles that were decorated with beads and colorful covers. Many families also brought Bibles wrapped in colorful gift paper.
The Catholic Bible Commission of Pakistan began the program last November, which included Bible quizzes, hymn competitions, dramatic performances with biblical themes and Bible study groups.
The commission plans to publish an Urdu (national language) Bible next March.
In 2008, the commission observed its first Year of the Bible during the Jubilee of the first translation of the Bible into Urdu.